Flexible drainage trap

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to flexible drainage trap assemblies and methods for constructing and installing such drainage traps. In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible drainage trap assembly includes a plumbing fixture connector, a discharge joint, and a trap portion connecting the plumbing fixture connector and discharge joint. The trap portion is shaped in such a way that it is operable to retain a pool of water inside the trap portion. The disclosed flexible drainage assemblies include a flexible portion that has a substantially smooth inner surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.14/101,286 filed Dec. 9, 2013, entitled “Flexible drainage trap” whichis a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 12/415,799 filed Mar.31, 2009, entitled “Flexible drainage trap” which claims priority toprovisional application No. 61/040,977 filed Mar. 31, 2008, entitled“Flexible and adjustable drainage trap with substantially smooth innersurface,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to drainage traps, and moreparticularly to flexible drainage trap assemblies including a flexibleportion that has a substantially-smooth inner surface, and methods forconstructing and installing such flexible drainage assemblies.

BACKGROUND

In the plumbing industry, drainage traps are fixtures having a U-, J-,S-, or P-shaped portion and are used to trap fumes, gases, and odorswithin a drainage piping system. Most plumbing fixtures, such asbathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, bath tubs and water closets, include adrainage trap. A drainage trap may either be an integral part of theplumbing fixture or a separate fixture that can be releasably coupled tothe plumbing fixture. In the present application, “internal traps”should be understood to be drainage traps that are an integral part ofthe plumbing fixture, and “external traps” should be understood to bedrainage traps that can be releasably coupled to the plumbing fixture.It is to be appreciated that external traps are more common thaninternal traps, but in any embodiment described herein, external andinternal traps can be substituted for each other.

Once the drainage trap is installed, water is flushed down the plumbingfixture, and the shape of the drainage trap allows a small pool of waterto be retained within the drainage trap. The pool of water in thedrainage trap functions as a seal that prevents the fumes, gases, andodors from escaping into the external living space in a building.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure relates to a drainagetrap assembly for maintaining a water seal that prevents gases in adrainage piping system from escaping. The drainage trap assemblyincludes a trap having first and second end portions and a trap portionbetween the first and second end portions, the trap being operable toretain a pool of water in the trap portion. The drainage trap assemblyalso includes a plumbing fixture connector coupled to the first endportion of the trap, the plumbing fixture connector being operable to beconnected to a discharge of a plumbing fixture. The drainage trapassembly further includes a discharge joint coupled to the second endportion of the trap, the discharge joint being operable to be connectedto a drainage pipe output. The discharge joint comprises a flexible hosehaving a substantially smooth inner surface. In some embodiments, thedischarge joint further comprises an elbow connecting a first end of theflexible hose to the second end portion of the trap, and a drainageconnector operable to connect a second end of the flexible hose to thedrainage pipe output.

Another embodiment of the drainage trap assemblies disclosed in thepresent disclosure includes a trap having first and second end portionsand a trap portion between the first and second end portions, the trapbeing operable to retain a pool of water in the trap portion. Thedrainage trap assembly also includes a plumbing fixture connectoroperable to be connected to a discharge of a plumbing fixture, and aflexible hose connecting the plumbing fixture connector and the trap. Afirst end of the flexible hose is coupled to the plumbing fixtureconnector, and a second end of the flexible hose is coupled to the firstend portion of the trap. Furthermore, the inner surface of the flexiblehose is substantially smooth. The drainage trap also includes adischarge joint coupled to the second end of the trap, the dischargejoint being operable to be connected to a drainage pipe output.

In some embodiments of the drainage trap assembly, the first end portionof the trap comprises a Y-fitting having first and second jointportions, and the second end of the flexible hose is mounted on thefirst joint portion. The drainage trap assembly further comprises asecond plumbing fixture connector operable to be connected to a seconddischarge of the plumbing fixture or a discharge of a second plumbingfixture, and a second flexible hose connecting the second plumbingfixture connector and the second joint portion of the trap. A first endof the second flexible hose is coupled to the second plumbing fixtureconnector, and a second end of the second flexible hose is coupled tothe second joint portion of the Y-fitting of the trap. Additionally, theinner surface of the second flexible hose is substantially smooth.

Related methods for constructing and installing the disclosed drainagetrap assembly between plumbing fixture discharges and drainage outletsare also disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rigid drainage trap;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a flexible drainage trap assemblyaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the flexible drainage trap assemblyshown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a flexible discharge joint according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible drainage trap assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible drainage trap assemblyaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a Y-joint;

FIG. 6B is a partial, cross-sectional view of the Y-joint shown in FIG.6A;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the Y-joint shown in FIG. 6A coupled toa flexible hose;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a plumbingfixture connector;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flexible drainage trap assemblyconnected to a waste disposal unit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a flexibledrainage trap assembly operable to be connected to a dishwasher unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of a flexible drainage trap assembly and related methodsfor installing a flexible drainage trap assembly according to thepresent disclosure are described. It is to be understood, however, thatthe following explanation is merely exemplary in describing the devicesand methods of the present disclosure. Accordingly, any number ofreasonable and foreseeable modifications, changes and substitutions arecontemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional rigid drainage trap 100, whichincludes three parts: a tailpiece 10, a trap 12, and a discharge joint14. The tailpiece 10 and discharge joint 14 provide a connection to thedischarge of a plumbing fixture (not shown) and the drainage pipe output(not shown), respectively. The trap 12 is shaped in such a way that itis operable to retain a pool of water, and may be configured in avariety of shapes, such as J-, P-, S-, and U-shape. These three parts ofthe rigid drainage trap 100 are assembled to form the rigid drainagetrap 100. In some embodiments, the J-trap 12 of the rigid drainage trap100 includes a clean-out hole (not shown), which allows the water sealto be manually drained. The clean-out hole, however, also provides spacefor waste accumulation and bacteria growth.

The installation of the rigid drainage trap 100 between the discharge ofthe plumbing fixture and the drainage pipe output can be difficult. Thealignment between the discharge of the plumbing fixture and the drainagepipe output can vary significantly because the plumbing fixtures canhave a wide variety of designs. For example, bathroom sinks can bedesigned to be seated below or on the top of the counter. The differencein designs may lead to the plumbing fixtures having discharges indifferent positions, and, consequently, connecting the discharges ofdifferent plumbing fixtures to the drainage pipe output may requiredrainage traps of various dimensions. Furthermore, some plumbingfixtures have a plurality of discharges, such as a double kitchen sink.

To improve the ease of installing drainage traps, some drainage traps100 have been made more flexible by constructing the trap 12 using aflexible material. To connect such a flexible trap 12 to the tailpiece10 and discharge joint 14 of the drainage trap 100, hose clamps (notshown) are positioned around end portions of the flexible trap 12 andmanually tightened. One disadvantage of the flexible trap 12 is that thehose clamps could be difficult to install if there is a lack of roomaround the plumbing fixture for handling tools to install the clamps.Moreover, another disadvantage of the flexible trap 12 is that itprovides only limited flexibility due to the inherent shape of theflexible trap 12.

Some other drainage traps 100 have a corrugated portion. While thecorrugated portion provides some flexibility, the uneven inner surfaceof the corrugated portion can trap and accumulate organic wastes. Theaccumulation of organic wastes can consequently lead to problems such asexcessive bacteria and fungus growth and the clogging of the drainagetrap.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, a flexible drainage trap assembly 200includes a plumbing fixture connector 52, a trap 54, and a flexibledrainage joint 56. The trap 54 includes first and second end portions 70and 72, and a trap portion 74 between the first and second end portions70 and 72. When the flexible drainage trap assembly 200 is installed,the first and second end portions 70 and 72 have higher elevationsrelative to the trap portion 74, which allows the trap 54 to retain apool of water in the trap portion 74 by gravity.

The plumbing fixture connector 52 is coupled to the first end portion 70of the trap 54, and the flexible discharge joint 56 is coupled to thesecond end portion 72 of the trap 54. The plumbing fixture connector 52can be a tailpiece or an adapter that is operable to be connected to adischarge of a plumbing fixture (not shown) and provide a conduit fromthe plumbing fixture to the trap 54. In some embodiments, the plumbingfixture connector 52 may include a combination of tailpiece and adapter.The flexible discharge joint 56 is operable to be connected to adrainage pipe output (not shown) and provides a conduit from the trap 54to the drainage pipe output.

The flexible discharge joint 56 comprises a flexible hose 60 having asubstantially smooth inner surface 64. The substantially smooth innersurface 64 offers the advantage of not being susceptible to accumulatingorganic waste inside the flexible hose 60 since no grooves are exposedon its interior surface as found on typical corrugated piping. Theflexible hose 60 can be made of any flexible material known in the artto impart flexibility to the discharge joint 56, including anythermoplastic rubber, any engineered polymer, or any chemically treatedmaterials capable of resisting chemicals such as chlorides and acids.The flexible hose 60 also may be resistant to organic gases and fungusattacks. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible hose 60 is made froma polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compound.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the flexible hose 60 may beconfigured to have a corrugated portion to further improve theflexibility of the flexible hose 60. The flexible hose 60 may bereinforced by any suitable means known in the art to improve itsstrength. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and3, the flexible hose 60 is reinforced by a plurality of rings 66extending radially and outwardly from the outer surface of the flexiblehose 60. In the illustrated embodiment, those rings 66 are disposed in athreaded pattern around the outer surface of the flexible hose 60,however, other embodiments may include other types of reinforcementrings 66. Additionally, the flexible hose 56 may be constructed suchthat it resiliently maintains its curvature once it is bent into adesired shape. In such embodiments, the external portion of the flexiblehose 56 may be collapsible/expandable piping, similar to telescopic orcorrugated piping or tubing, which maintains one or more bends impartedto it when left in place. However, the internal portion of the flexiblehose 56 is smooth, as discussed above, and sufficiently flexible tosubmit to any bends held by the external piping while maintaining asubstantially smooth internal surface throughout the length of theflexible hose 56. Such a flexible hose 56 may be constructed from twoseparate materials comprising the internal and external portions, orthese two portions may be integrally formed. Moreover, the internal andexternal portions maybe constructed from the same material, or they mayeach be from one or more different materials even if integrally formed.For example, the external portion may be metal or hard plastic, whilethe internal portion is a soft plastic, silicone or rubber. In suchembodiments, the flexible tube 56 may be formed by disposing moltenplastic, silicone or rubber within a hard external portion, and thenallowing the molten material to cool therein leaving a substantiallysmooth internal surface along the length of the flexible tube 56.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the flexible drainagejoint 56 further includes an elbow 58 connecting a first end 76 of theflexible hose 60 to the trap 54, and a drainage connector 62 coupled toa second end 78 of the flexible hose 60 for connection to a drainagepipe outlet (not shown). The flexible hose 60 may be releasably coupledto the elbow 58 and drainage connector 62 using any connecting mechanismknown in the art, including mechanical coupling, welding, chemicalbonding, or pressure coupling, or even by a technique or mechanism laterdeveloped. In some embodiments, the elbow 58, flexible hose 60, and thedrainage connector 62 may be integrally molded into one unitary part tosubstantially reduce or eliminate the risk of leakage and simplify theinstallation of the drainage trap assembly 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elbow 58 has a central opening 80defined therethrough, and an outer wall 82. The outer wall 82 has acircumferential slot 84 defined therein, which is operable to receivethe first end portion 76 of the flexible hose 60. When the end portion76 is fitted and received in the circumferential slot 84, the frictionbetween the outer wall 82 and the end portion 76 allows the elbow 58 andflexible 60 to be securely and hermetically coupled. As such, the elbow58 and drainage connector 62 are coupled to the flexible hose 60 bypressure without any need of tooling, solvent, or cement. The pressurecoupling of the elbow 58 and drainage connector 62 to the flexible hose60 allows an installer to dismantle the discharge joint 56 as many timesas desired by pulling them apart. These parts of the discharge joint 60may be reassembled easily by pushing them together. In other embodimentsin which the elbow 58, flexible hose 60, and the drainage connector 62are integrally molded into one unitary part, the possibility of leakageis substantially reduced or eliminated, and the installation of thedrainage trap assembly 200 is simplified. However, accessibility to theinside of certain portions may thereby be limited, thus leaving to theinstaller which embodiment better suits his needs.

In one exemplary embodiment of an installation, the flexible drainagetrap assembly 200 is installed by first connecting the plumbing fixtureconnector 52 to the discharge of a plumbing fixture (not shown). Beforeconnecting the discharge joint 56 to the drainage pipe outlet (notshown), the flexible hose 60 can be bent to adjust the orientation ofthe discharge joint 56 so that it matches the alignment of the drainagepipe outlet. Once the discharge joint 56 and the drainage pipe outletare properly aligned, they can be connected to complete theinstallation. It is to be appreciated that the flexible drainage trapassembly 200 provides a high degree of adjustment during installation,thus accommodating various misalignments between plumbing fixturedischarges and discharge pipes. In a particular embodiment, aligning thedischarge joint 56 and the drainage pipe outlet may requiredisassembling the discharge joint 56 and cutting away a piece of theflexible hose 60 to make it shorter. The discharge joint 56 is thenreassembled and aligned before being connected to the drainage pipeoutlet. In another embodiment, the drainage pipe outlet may be toodistant from the drainage trap assembly 200 and the flexible hose 60 canbe replaced with a longer hose. In either such embodiment, thequick-connectability of the flexible hose 60 to other components asdescribed above allows for quick, on-site adjustments to be made duringinstallation.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a flexible drainage trap assembly 300 includes aplumbing fixture connector 90, a trap 92, a drainage joint 94, and aflexible hose 96. Similar to the trap 54 as discussed above, trap 92comprises first and second end portions 98 and 99, and a trap portion102 between the first and second end portions 98 and 99 that is operableto retain a pool of water in the trap portion 102 by gravity. The trap92 is connected to the plumbing fixture connector 90 by the flexiblehose 96. A first end 104 of the flexible hose is coupled to the plumbingfixture connector 90, and a second end 106 of the flexible hose 96 iscoupled to the first end portion 98 of the trap 92. The second endportion 99 of the trap 92 is coupled to the discharge joint 94. Theplumbing fixture connector 90 and discharge joint 94 are operable to beconnected to a discharge of a plumbing fixture (not shown) and adrainage pipe output (not shown), respectively. The plumbing fixtureconnectors 90 can include a tailpiece, an adapter, or a combination ofboth.

Like the flexible hose 60 described above, the flexible hose 96 includesan inner surface (not shown) that is substantially smooth, and can bemade of any flexible material known in the art to impart flexibility tothe drainage trap assembly 300. In the embodiment shown in the FIG. 4,the flexible hose 96 also includes a plurality of rings 108 extendingradially and outwardly from the outer surface of the flexible hose 96.As before, these rings 108 may be in a thread-like pattern or they maybe individually formed on the hose 96.

Shown in FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the drainage trap assembly 300,which includes two plumbing fixture connectors 90, each being connectedto the first end portion 98 of the trap 92 by a flexible hose 96. Theplumbing fixture connectors 90 are operable to be connected to thedischarge of the same plumbing fixtures 110 as illustrated in FIG. 5, orto the discharges of two different plumbing fixtures (not shown). In theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, one of the plumbing fixtureconnectors 90 is connected to a first discharge 132 of the double sink110, and the other plumbing fixture connector 90 is connected to thedischarge of a waste disposal unit 130, which receives waste from thesecond discharge 134 of the double sink 110. Shown in FIG. 9 is anotherexemplary embodiment, in which one of the plumbing fixture connectors 90includes a T-adapter 138. The T-adapter 138 allows the referencedplumbing fixture connector 90 to be connected to both the firstdischarge 132 of the double sink 110 and a second plumbing fixture (notshown) such as a dishwasher.

In some embodiments, the first end portion 98 of the trap 92 comprises aY-fitting 112 as shown in FIG. 5, which in turn includes first andsecond joint portions 114 and 116 for connection to the flexible hoses96. The first ends 104 of the flexible hoses 96 are mounted on theplumbing fixture connectors 90, and the second ends 106 of the flexiblehoses 96 are mounted on the first and second joint portions 114 and 116of the Y-fitting 112. Referring to FIGS. 6A, B, and C, the Y-fitting 112includes threads 118 on the outer surface of the first and second jointportions 114 and 116. As the second ends 106 of the flexible hoses 96are disposed over the first and second joint portions 114 and 116, thewall of the flexible hoses 96 conforms to the contour of the threads118, which allows the threads 118 to engage the plurality ofreinforcement rings 108. As such, the flexible hoses 96 are threadablyconnected to the joint portions 114 and 116. It is to be appreciatedthat other securing mechanisms known in the art or later developed canalso be implemented in the embodiments described herein to secure theflexible hoses 96 to the joint portions 114 and 116. Moreover, suchthreaded connection of a flexible hose constructed as disclosed hereinmay also be used in other embodiments of trap assemblies, such as theearlier embodiments discussed above.

The Y-fitting 112 also includes at least one sealing member 120extending radially and outwardly from the outer surface of the first andsecond joint portions 114 and 116. The sealing member 120 cooperateswith the inner smooth surface of the flexible hose 96 to provide asubstantially water-proof seal. The sealing member 120 may have variouscross-sectional profiles depending on the application and design of thedrainage trap assembly 300. In some embodiments, a trapezoidal profileas shown in FIG. 6B provides the optimal seal against leakage.

It is to be appreciated that the securing mechanism and the sealingmechanism described above can be implemented in any embodimentsdescribed herein in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the first end portion 98in FIG. 4 may include threads 118 for mounting and securing the secondend 106 of the flexible hose 96 as described above. In some otherembodiments, the first end portion 98 also may include a sealing member120 to provide a substantially water-proof seal. Furthermore, althoughthe threads 118 are illustrated on the exterior of the Y-fitting 112, inother embodiments, the threads 118 may be within the Y-fitting 112 andformed at the same pitch as threaded rings formed on a flexible hose. Insuch embodiments, the flexible hose may threadably engage the Y-fitting112, while a seal 120 may be provided within the Y-fitting to contact anend of the flexible hose.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the first and second joint portions 114 and 116 arealigned at angles ϕ and σ relative to the longitudinal axis of outletportion 150 of the Y-fitting 112, respectively. The angles ϕ and σ arethe same in some embodiments, and different in other embodiments. Theangles ϕ and σ are acute angles (less than 90 degrees), and in someembodiments, the angles ϕ and σ are preferably between 25 to 65 degrees.In some particular embodiments, the most preferred angles ϕ and σ are 45degrees. Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of theplumbing fixture connector 90 is shown to include first and second ends122 and 124, which have first and second longitudinal axes 126 and 128,respectively. The first and second ends 122 and 124 are bent relative toeach other such that the first and second axes 122 and 124 form an acuteangle θ. In some embodiments, the angle θ is preferably between 15 to 45degrees. In some particular embodiments, the most preferred angle θ is32 degrees. The bent plumbing fixture connector 90 and the angularalignment of the joint portions 114 and 116 of the Y-fitting 112 allowfor improved alignment between these two components, which in turn.reduces the stress on the connections between the plumbing fixtureconnectors 90 and the flexible hoses 96, and the flexible hoses 96 andthe joint portions 114 and 116 of the Y-fitting 112.

The first end 122 of the plumbing fixture connector 90 can be coupled tothe first end 104 of flexible hose 96 using any coupling mechanism knowin the art. In some embodiments, the first end 122 may include thethreads 118 as described above for securing the flexible hose 96.Additionally, in some embodiments, the first end 122 also may includethe sealing member 120 as described above for providing a substantiallywater-proof seal.

Referring back to FIG. 5, in one exemplary embodiment, the flexibledrainage trap assembly 300 is installed by assembling the plumbingfixture connectors 90, flexible hoses 96, trap 92, and the dischargejoint 94. The plumbing fixture connectors 90 are loosely coupled to thefirst and second discharges 132 and 134 of the double sink 110. Forexample, the plumbing fixture connectors 90 and the first and seconddischarges 132 and 134 may be threadably coupled. As the discharge joint94 is connected to the drainage pipe outlet (not shown), the loosecoupling of the tailpieces 90 to the first and second discharges 132 and134 allow the plumbing fixture connectors 90 to position themselves inorientations that reduces the stress on the flexible hose 96. After thedischarge joint 94 is connected to the drainage pipe outlet, thecoupling between the plumbing fixture connectors 90 and the first andsecond discharges 132 and 134 are tightened.

It should be appreciated that the breadth and scope of the invention(s)should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents. Moreover, the above advantages andfeatures are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit theapplication of the claims to processes and structures accomplishing anyor all of the above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theinvention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a“Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the languagechosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field.Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to beconstrued as an admission that technology is prior art to anyinvention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Brief Summary” to beconsidered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in theclaims found herein. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to“invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there isonly a single point of novelty claimed in this disclosure. Multipleinventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multipleclaims associated with this disclosure, and the claims accordinglydefine the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protectedthereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be consideredon their own merits in light of the specification, but should not beconstrained by the headings set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for installing a drainage assembly,comprising: providing a flexible hose having a substantially smoothinner surface; providing a fitting having a joint portion and an outletportion; inserting the fitting into the flexible hose such that asealing element of the fitting comes into contact with a smooth innersurface of the flexible hose to provide a substantially water proofseal, wherein the inserting includes coupling a second portion of thefitting to a plurality of reinforcement rings extending radially andoutwardly from an outer surface of the flexible hose thereby securingthe fitting to the flexible hose.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein anouter surface of the joint portion includes a plurality of outwardprotrusions, the outward protrusions each defining an inclined planewrapped around the joint portion, and the inserting includes engagingthe outward protrusions with the reinforcement rings.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of reinforcement rings include threads,and the inserting includes coupling the threads to the second portion ofthe fitting.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second portion of thefitting includes threads having a pitch corresponding to a pitch of thereinforcement rings.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the insertingincludes threadably engaging the reinforcement rings and the threads ofthe second portion.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealingelement extends radially and outwardly from an outer surface of thejoint portion.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fitting includes afirst end having a first longitudinal axis and a second end having asecond longitudinal axis, and the first and second longitudinal axesform an angle such that the first and second ends are bent relative toeach other.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and secondlongitudinal axes form an acute angle.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe acute angle is between 15 to 45 degrees.
 10. A drainage assembly,comprising: a fitting having a joint portion and an outlet portion; aflexible hose operable to couple to the fitting, the flexible hosehaving a substantially smooth inner surface, and the flexible hoseincluding: a first end operable to couple to a connector, and a secondend operable to mount on the joint portion of the fitting, such that asealing element of the fitting is in contact with the smooth innersurface of the flexible hose to provide a substantially water-proof sealwith a friction fit; and a securing mechanism operable to couple withthe flexible hose when the second end of the flexible hose is mounted onthe joint portion of the fitting, the securing mechanism being operableto engage a plurality of reinforcement rings extending radially andoutwardly from an outer surface of the flexible hose.
 11. The drainageassembly of claim 10, further comprising the connector, the connectorbeing operable to connect to a discharge of a plumbing fixture.
 12. Thedrainage assembly of claim 10, wherein the sealing element extendsradially and outwardly from an outer surface of the joint portion. 13.The drainage assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second securingmechanism operable to couple with the flexible hose when the first endof the flexible hose is coupled to the connector.
 14. The drainageassembly of claim 13, wherein the second securing mechanism is operableto engage a plurality of reinforcement rings extending radially andoutwardly from an outer surface of the flexible hose.
 15. The drainageassembly of claim 10, wherein the connector includes a first end havinga first longitudinal axis and a second end having a second longitudinalaxis, and the first and second longitudinal axes form an angle such thatthe first and second ends are bent relative to each other.
 16. Thedrainage assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second longitudinalaxes form an acute angle.
 17. The drainage assembly of claim 16, whereinthe acute angle is between 15 to 45 degrees.
 18. The drainage assemblyof claim 10, wherein the fitting includes a Y-fitting.
 19. A drainageassembly, comprising: a fitting having a joint portion and an outletportion; a flexible hose operable to couple to the fitting, the flexiblehose having a substantially smooth inner surface, and the flexible hoseincluding: a first end operable to couple to a connector, a second endoperable to mount on the joint portion of the fitting, such that asealing element of the fitting is in contact with the smooth innersurface of the flexible hose to provide a substantially water-proof sealwith a friction fit; and a securing mechanism operable to couple withthe flexible hose when the first end of the flexible hose is coupled tothe connector, the securing mechanism being operable to engage aplurality of reinforcement rings extending radially and outwardly froman outer surface of the flexible hose.
 20. The drainage assemble ofclaim 19, further comprising the connector, the connector being operableto connect to a discharge of a plumbing fixture.
 21. The drainageassembly of claim 19, further comprising a second securing mechanismoperable to couple with the flexible hose when the second end of theflexible hose is mounted on the joint portion of the fitting.